Development Assistance

Australian Aid

The Australian Government's overseas aid program is a Government-funded program that aims to reduce poverty in developing countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade manages the Australian aid program.

Australia, works with other governments, the United Nations, Australian companies and non-government organisations to design and set up projects which tackle the causes and consequences of poverty in developing countries.

Australian Aid to Myanmar

Australia is committed to reducing poverty in Myanmar and supporting its transition to democracy.

Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in South East Asia and has some of the lowest social development indicators in the region. One quarter of its estimated 62 million people live in poverty. Around ten per cent of Myanmar people do not have enough food. Only half of all children in Myanmar complete primary school. One in 10 children dies before the age of five and health outcomes are among the worst in the region with large numbers of people dying from easily preventable illness and disease.

Australia recognises we have both a responsibility and the capacity as a regional neighbour of Myanmar to help alleviate poverty. We are one of the largest donors to Myanmar. Our assistance for improving people’s health, education and livelihoods, and our support for the reform process, is making a significant contribution to millions of lives in Myanmar.

Further information on the Australia’s aid program to Myanmar can be found here.

The Direct Aid Program

Applications for the 2017-2018 Direct Aid Program have now closed.

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants scheme for development activities, managed by the Australian Embassy in Yangon.

The program funds projects that provide direct benefits to those most in need in the local community, including vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. In Myanmar our program is particularly focused on livelihoods. Applications for capacity building projects, including in the areas of governance, economic development and human rights engagement, are also welcome.